A dissemination seminar was held on 17 August at Sasakawa Auditorium , ICDDR’B Dhaka. The seminar was on “Research for Autism: Assessment of mental health status among caregivers of children with autism and feasibility of creating a community based support system in Bangladesh.” Ms.  Saima Hossain, Chairperson, National Advisory Committee on Autism and Member, WHO’s Expert Advisory Panel on Mental Health, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Professor Dr. Deen Mohd. Noorul Haq, Director General, Directorate General of Health and Family Welfare, chaired the event. The programme comprised of scientific seminars by health professionals on a wide spectrum of issues related to autism. Dr Aliya Naheed Interim Head, Chronic Non Communicable Diseases Unit spoke on ‘maternal depression in autism spectrum disorder and feasibility of parent based training progamme.’ The panel discussion was led by prominent health professionals and media personalities where the role of stakeholders in strengthening autism care was elaborated by the panelists.
 The chief guest of the event, Saima Hossain, Chairperson of National Advisory Committee on Autism and Neurodevelopment Disabilities, said “There is a big gap in how we understand autism. This research is important because it is about ensuring inclusivity, which has to do with empowering people. It is also important to promptly turn research into action.”
Dr John Clemens, Executive Director of icddr,b, said in his welcome address: “Globally, people with autism are a vulnerable group, often subject to stigma and discrimination, including unjust deprivation of health services. I am so pleased that we could collaborate with Bangladesh government in this important preliminary research we are shar
 The chair of the event, Professor Dr Deen Md. Noorul Huq, Director General of Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Health Services, said in his opening address:
“Early detection and proper care can prevent severity of the problem and help bring out the potential of children with autism. We need to stop seeing these children with special needs as a burden and start thinking of them as productive individuals.”
ICDDR’B’s research has revealed that one in every four mothers of a child with autism suffered from depression and 4 out of 5 autistic babies are boys. The wide array of problems mothers of autistic children face range between poverty to criticism from peers and neighbors to lack of knowledge on how to deal with a baby with special needs and depression. On the brighter side of the gloom are encouraging findings which state that 89% of the 388 mothers who volunteered for ICDDR’B’s research 89% of them reported improvements in their children’s well being after attending special schools.
The National Strategic Plan on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NDDs) in Bangladesh is being drafted and in an effort to facilitate the help families with autistic children. Panelists unanimously agreed on the need for early diagnosis and intervention for children with ASD and the exploration of the psychological needs of the care givers especially mothers who struggle most from the social
stigma and emotional instability of dealing with babies born with ASD.
Stethoscope desk